About Us

Poor Man’s Boat Company is built on a tradition of innovation and a deep respect for rivers and the fishermen who rely on them. Our mission is simple: to give riverbank anglers a smarter, cleaner, and more effective way to fish moving water without the need for expensive boats, motors, or complex equipment.

The heart of our company is the River Kite fishing device, a truly unique fishing invention created specifically as a riverbank fishing solution. Designed as a miniature catamaran fishing boat, the River Kite allows anglers to experience successful river fishing without owning or operating a full-sized vessel. It is a practical, small fishing boat alternative that works directly with river currents to place bait exactly where fish feed.

The River Kite is a Rogue River fishing invention with roots in Southern Oregon. It was originally imagined in the early 1970s by engineer and fisherman Phil Gibson while fishing for salmon and steelhead. His vision was to create a river current fishing device that could hold steady in fast-moving water while presenting bait naturally.

Years later that vision was refined into a modern river fishing innovation through hands on testing and real-world fishing experience. Today, Poor Man’s Boat Company proudly represents Oregon fishing innovation, carrying that legacy forward from the Rogue River to the Willamette River and throughout the Columbia River Basin fishing community.